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PODCAST

What the Riff Next Gen

Rob Marbury, Wayne Rowan, Bruce Fricks, John Lynch

Every episode of “WHAT THE RIFF NEXT GEN” brings a ROCK AND ROLL album that debuted on the U.S. Billboard charts during a random month between 1995 and 2005. Four Classic Rock fans discuss the artist and 4 tracks from the album as it plays in the background. Then we riff on 3 additional “staff picks” of other artists that were also on the charts during that month and year. You’ll hear Classic Rock bands that were still producing new work, as well as some newer Alternative and Grunge bands that were

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All Episodes

00:26:40

1966 - August: Wilson Pickett “The Exciting Wilson...

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2020/06/22

While you may think of Motown when you first hear Wilson Pickett, this sound is neither from Detroit or its counterpart from Philadelphia. This is from the deep south with the deep soul of the 2 M's - Memphis and Muscle Shoals. The Exciting Wilson Pickett was Pickett's third studio album and firmly established his credentials as one of the leading lights of Soul music. Pickett grew up in Alabama, and like many soul singers at the time he got his start in church. He had a contentious

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00:38:00

1977 - October: E.L.O. “Out of the Blue”

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2020/06/15

By the time they released their seventh studio album, Out of the Blue, British rock band E.L.O., also known as the Electric Light Orchestra was a successful machine for rock hits with a “Beatleseque Pop” sound. The Beatles connection was not random, as guitarist and founding member Roy Wood wanted to introduce strings, violins, cellos, basses, horns and woodwinds to Rock music, and “pick up where the Beatles left off.” ELO was formed by Wood on guitar, Bev Bevan on drums, and Jeff Lynne on

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00:43:33

1982 - January: The J. Geils Band "Freeze Frame"

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2020/06/08

This tenth studio album by The J. Geils Band would be a departure from their blues rock and mainstream pieces for which they were known in the 70's, and would be their most commercially successful. Freeze Frame took The J. Geils Band from a regional band to international stardom. The band consisted of John (J.) Geils on guitar, Seth Justman on keyboards, Stephen Bladd on drums, Danny Klein on bass, Peter Wolf on lead vocals, and Richard Salwitz (aka Magic Dick) on harmonica, trumpet, and saxophone

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00:38:34

1976 - March: Bad Company “Run with the Pack”

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2020/06/01

English supergroup Bad Company continued their successful streak with their third studio album, Run with the Pack. Frontman/guitarist/panist Paul Rodgers and drummer Simon Kirke came out of the band Free, guitarist/keyboardist Mick Ralph came out of Mott the Hoople, and bassist Boz Burrell was originally with King Crimson. Paul Rodgers' voice is quite distinctive, and you can tell a “Bad Co.” song just from that voice.The name of the group came from a book of Victorian morals. It showed a picture

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00:38:06

1983 - May: INXS “Shabooh Shoobah”

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2020/05/25

Originally named The Farriss Brothers when they formed in 1977, brothers Andrew Farriss (keyboards and Founder), Jon Farriss (drums), and Tim Farriss (guitar) joined with bassist Garry Gary Beers, saxophonist/guitarist Kirk Pengilly, and front man Michael Hutchense not long after high school. They took the name INXS at the suggestion of members of the band Midnight Oil, whom they were supporting at the time. Shabooh Shoobah is their third studio album, and the first to be released worldwide

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00:34:29

1971 - March: Jethro Tull “Aqualung”

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2020/05/18

There are debates galore about who is the best singer, guitarist, drummer, etc., in the Rock genre, but perhaps we can all agree that the greatest Rock flautist would be Ian Anderson. The trio of Anderson (vocals, guitar, flute), Jeffrey Hammond (bass) and John Evan (keyboards, initially drums) began playing together in the 60's, and while only Anderson would be present from that original trio when the band Jethro Tull was formed in 1967, all three would be back together along with Martin Barre

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00:44:50

1978 — September: Boston “Don't Look Back”

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2020/05/11

Back in 1976 Boston took the rock world by storm with their debut, and largely self-produced, album. This highly anticipated second album made its appearance two years later, a span of time which would in retrospect be considered quite fast - no other Boston album would appear for eight years. Don't Look Back was originally entitled "Arrival," until the band discovered that ABBA had already released an album with that name. Guitarist and producer Tom Scholz considered the album to be rushed out

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00:40:11

1977 - February: Fleetood Mac "Rumors"

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2020/05/04

This is the album that turned Fleetwood Mac into a household name. Originally formed as a blues band in 1967, Fleetwood Mac had taken a turn to more pop-oriented music with their 10th and self-titled album in 1975. This precursor to Rumors also saw the addition of Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks to the band after the departure of guitarist Bob Welch. The band toured and promoted that album heavily and their work paid off. But it would be this eleventh album, Rumors, which would solidify

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00:57:05

2020 — April: Episode 100 “Just the WTR Guys”

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2020/04/27

If you want to see some grainy footage, this 100th Episode is also available on YouTube. It’s a recorded Zoom call, with a few graphics and photos from the studio. Wayne discusses the genesis of the ideaWhen and how did the idea for the podcast come up?Wayne's radio background and connections with guests for the showHow do we choose who to bring on the show?How do we handle social media and promotions? Bruce discusses research and bloggingHow do we research for the show?What websites are good for

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00:38:05

1982 — September: Men At Work “Business As Usual”

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2020/04/20

The debut studio album by Australian band Men at Work was released in April of 1982, but Business as Usual would steadily climb the charts through the year before peaking at the number 1 spot in November. We thought September would be a good month in which to feature it.Founding member Colin Hay on lead vocals and guitar, was joined by Greg Ham on flute, keyboards, saxophone, and some vocals, Ron Strykert on guitar and vocals, John Rees on bass and background vocals, and Jerry Speiser on drums and

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00:42:51

1975 — December: Kiss “Alive!”

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2020/04/13

While they were a moderate regional success as a band with three studio albums, Kiss was most notable for their live performances. They would not be vaulted into super-stardom until this breakthrough live album Alive! was released in September of 1975. It peaked on the Billboard 200 album charts at number 9 in December of that year, and that's why we're featuring this album in this month.Kiss is well known today not only because of their success as a band, but they also heavily marketed their

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00:44:57

1989 — June: Don Henley “The End of the Innocence”

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2020/04/06

The Eagles had been broken up for almost a decade, and it would be another 5 years before their reunion, but Don Henley was still a huge name in the music world. The End of the Innocence, Henley's third solo studio album, would be a more reflective and less synthesizer-heavy album, and would be Henley's best selling album.After the break-up of the Eagles, Henley put out “I Can't Stand Still” in 1982, from which the hit single Dirty Laundry would arise. 1984 would see the appearance of “Building

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00:36:26

1974 — February: The Doobie Brothers “What Were Once...

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2020/03/30

The Doobie Brothers were already a commercial success by the time their fourth studio album, What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits, was released in 1974. This iteration of The Doobie Brothers features mainstream rock and roll with a folk harmony bent, and the vocals of singer-songwriters Tom Johnston and Patrick Simmons. Tim Porter is on bass, and "Little" John Hartman and Michael Hossack round out the group in the unusual position of dual drummers.The group got the name The Doobie Brothers from

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00:45:45

1990 - September: Depeche Mode “Violator”

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2020/03/23

Depeche Mode made a decision to minimize their pre-production work when they created their seventh studio album. It must have worked, becauce Violator would become their breakthrough international album. Keyboardist Andy Fletcher, keyboardist and vocalist Martin Gore, also keyboardist and drum machinist Alan Wilder, and lead man Dave Gahan had previously hit the charts with their 1984 single “People Are People.” This album would see crossover success led by the monster hit “Personal Jesus.” While

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00:40:50

1992 - November: Blind Melon “Blind Melon”

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2020/03/16

Their self-titled debut album and its breakthrough single “No Rain” put Blind Melon on the charts. A little alternative, a little hippie throwback, and maybe a little southern rock, Blind Melon is headed by frontman Shannon Hoon. Born in Indianapolis, Hoon was practically born a rock star, with the vocal chops and (unfortunately) the lifestyle to match. Hoon moved to Los Angeles where he formed the band with bassist Brad Smith, percussionist Glenn Graham, and guitarists Stevens Rogers (lead) and

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00:28:43

1966 - July: The Rolling Stones “Aftermath”

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2020/03/09

In 1966 The Rolling Stones were not the giants that they would come to be in the rock world, but their third album, Aftermath would start their transformation. While their two previous albums had consisted of a significant volume of cover songs (much like the Beatles' early work), Aftermath would be the first album with all original material, primarily written by Mick Jagger and/or Keith Richards, and is considered the group's breakthrough album. Brian Jones would be a multi-instrumentalist on this

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00:43:29

1976 - October: Stevie Wonder “Songs in the Key of...

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2020/03/02

Even though he was at the top of his game Stevie Wonder almost retired to work with handicapped children in Ghana before this album was made. Instead, he signed what was then the largest recording deal in history, and released what many consider the best of his classic era — the double album Songs in the Key of Life. This album was released in late September, debuted at number 1 (the first artist other than Elton John to do so), and remained there for 13 weeks.“Songs in the Key of Life” was

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00:29:36

1966 - September: Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels ...

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2020/02/24

Lots of music was coming out of Detroit in the 60's, and one of the high energy groups coming out of the Michigan rock scene was Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels. The group had crossover appeal with a little soul, a little funk, and a lot of energy. Breakout...!!! was their second album, and was indeed a breakout for this Motor City band.Mitch Ryder (stage name for William Sherille Levise, Jr ) was originally a backup singer with a soul band, but racial animosities forced the white Mitch Ryder to

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00:41:50

1981 - October: Loverboy “Get Lucky”

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2020/02/17

After doing well with their 1980 self-titled album, Canadian rock band Loverboy would head into the stratosphere with their second studio album entitled Get Lucky. Benefiting from a photogenic lead singer (Mike Reno) clad in read leather pants, Loverboy would ride the MTV wave to the top of the rock and pop charts. Loverboy was founded in 1979 by front man Mike Reno and guitarist Paul Dean, who met when Reno was working at a steakhouse and heard Dean playing guitar in a bus station behind the

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00:36:21

1968 - July: Pink Floyd “A Saucerfull of Secrets”

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2020/02/10

In its second album, Pink Floyd would begin its transition from a psychedelic 60's era band to what would become an icon of the rock genre. A Saucerful of Secrets is a strange album, and the only one in which Pink Floyd would consider themselves to be a five piece band. Frontman Syd Barrett had begun his slide into insanity, and was too unstable for the band to rely on him for concerts and recordings. They brought in David Gilmour to supplement Barrett on guitar, while Nick Mason (drums) Roger

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